Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Debut: Italian Manager Receives Warm Welcome in his 1st Game Incharge as Fans wave Italian Flags and Chant his name- Antonio Conte got an idea of what to expect from his Tottenham managerial career as he got a heroic welcome from the Spurs fans ahead of the Europa Conference League clash against Vitesse. In a game that saw 2 red cards and Tottenham almost blowing up a 3-0 lead, Conte made sure that he walked away with a win in his first game in charge.
The 52-year-old supervised his first Tottenham training session earlier this week and was ready to take charge of the club’s first game that ended in a 3-2 win for the English side.
Antonio Conte Debut: Antonio Conte took over Tottenham on November 2
Conte, who replaced Nuno Espirito Santo this week after the Portuguese were sacked 10 Premier League games into his first season, watched his side tear into a 3-0 lead after 28 minutes with Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura on target plus an own goal.
He then watched Vitesse score twice in seven minutes before halftime in a wild tie complete with three red cards and an outbreak of crowd trouble amongst the visiting supporters.
Defender Cristian Romero saw red for Tottenham on the hour while visiting defender Danilho Doekhi and goalkeeper Markus Schubert were later sent off for the Dutch side.
In the end, Spurs held on for the three points which boosted its hopes of making progress in Europe’s third-tier club competition. It is now second in Group G with seven points, three behind leaders Rennes, which beat Slovenian side Mura 1-0.
🗣 “Conte can teach me so much.”
Sonny talks after tonight’s win ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/DyF69mSyRd
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 4, 2021
“It was a crazy game. Usually, I don’t like this type of game — a crazy game means anything can happen. But at the same time, I think we should win and we won,” Conte said.
Antonio Conte Debut: Antonio Conte’s Post-Match Interview
First win in the bag. 🎒
🎥 The boss’ verdict on an eventful night at @SpursStadium. 👇 pic.twitter.com/6VdMLhDAst
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 4, 2021
Former Inter Milan, Chelsea, and Juventus boss Conte, who turned Tottenham down in the close season, was given a warm reception and the mood was vibrant when Son fired home in the 14th minute before Harry Kane sent Moura through to make it 2-0.
When Jacob Rasmussen bundled the ball into his own goal under pressure from Kane it looked as though Spurs was on course for a big win.
But the failings that ended Espirito Santo’s reign returned as Rasmussen headed in and then Matus Bero produced a cool finish to quieten the home crowd.
Tottenham, which started with 10 of the players that began the 3-0 defeat by visitor Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday, looked uneasy at times but Conte at least began with a victory.
He will have plenty to ponder though ahead of this Sunday’s league trip to Everton.
“For sure we have to improve. It’s not easy because in two days we prepare for this (Everton) game … now we have only one day,” Conte said. “Tomorrow it’s impossible to work with the players who played tonight.
“We need to have a bit of patience because we need to work on many aspects — tactically and physically. I’m not afraid about the work. I know only through the work you can reach important targets.“
